Teacher Appreciation Week: SHS Teacher of the Year Melissa Lewis

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and to celebrate, SylacaugaNews.com recognizes Sylacauga High School Teacher of the Year Mrs. Melissa Lewis.

Lewis is a native of Sylacauga and a 1988 graduate of Sylacauga High School. She graduated with her bachelors from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After graduating college, she came back home to teach 7th grade science at Nichols-Lawson Middle School for seven years, and then moved to Sylacauga High School to teach Pre-AP and AP Biology for another seven years.

“My favorite part of teaching is the ‘aha’ moments that I see when a student finally understands or masters a skill that they haven’t been able to get,” said Lewis. “I get to see that light come on in their eye.”

Not only does she strive to give students the best education possible, but she also helps advise students as an Avid teacher and an advisor for the Focus Club which focuses on informing students of the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and sex.

She is the proud mother of Ally who is a senior at Sylacauga High School and will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall. She is married to her husband Steve Lewis who is also a 1988 graduate of Sylacauga High.

“I was excited I got teacher of the year, but I was also humbled because there are so many teachers that deserve this award also,” said Lewis. “I was so shocked.”

Be sure to help SylacaugaNews.com celebrate all of our wonderful local teachers this week like Mrs. Melissa Lewis by finding ways to recognize or thank teachers that have made an impact on you or your student’s life. Post any and all photos of you with past or current teachers and tag SylacaugaNews.com in your post with the hashtag #SylTeachersRock.